Chicago opens chemical and computer recycling plant

Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley on Saturday helped cut the ribbon at the city’s new Household Chemical and Computer Recycling Center on Goose Island. According to the Chicago Tribune, the $3.8 million, 24-000-square-foot plant is the first permanent facility of its kind in the city. In addition to recycling computers, the center will accept batteries, cell phones, fluorescent lamps and bulbs, antifreeze, gasoline, drain cleaners and old paint. City officials say the facility has the capacity to divert 500 tons of obsolete electronics and an equal amount of discarded batteries from area landfills.

"Chicago has been making strides to become the most environmentally friendly city in the country," Daley said at the ribbon-cutting ceremony. "We need to dispose of these hazardous household products safely."